Entry requirements

Organizing your trip

Means of transport recommended in town

Traffic circulation in Mexico City is very heavy as well as in the other major cities, especially in the downtown areas. There is a lot of road work as well. The use of seat belts is mandatory. It is recommended to use public transportation, but the conditions of city buses are not too good and these are driven recklessly. The subway, called Metro, circulates all over the city and it is very inexpensive. Taxis are available in all major avenues, however, it is better to use authorized taxis (a directory can be found in: taxis ) which will guarantee a safe ride and rapid access at a fair price. Currently, there is also a suburban train which connects the main cities in the state of Mexico with the capital (D.F.), and in only 15 minutes travels 20 km.

Means of transport recommended in the rest of the country

The bus is the most popular type of transportation to travel around the Mexican territory. Prices are inexpensive and the conditions are, in general, good.

There are 57 international airports in the country which allow traveling in a short time. Fifteen companies manage the airlines market. They offer several itineraries and frequent flight connections in between the capital and the major cities. In the last few years, airlines companies called "low cost" have integrated the market, increasing the use of airplane transportation in the country. The fares can be high if the reservations are not booked in advance.

Traveling by yourself

Recommendation: Roads are asphalted, well kept and functional in most parts of the country. The toll highways guarantee safety.International insurances are not valid, therefore it is necessary to obtain auto insurance in Mexico.In Mexico City, an alternating traffic system has been established in order to fight environmental pollution (it is based on the vehicle plate's number). Vehicles with a foreign plate cannot circulate on Fridays.

Living conditions

Health and safety

Health precautions: A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers aged six months or older if they are arriving from an infected area.There is a high risk related to the geographical altitude and air pollution in the Mexico City area.It is advised not to drink tap water. Avoid consuming ice creams and sherbets, as well as ice cubes.In order to prevent gastrointestinal diseases, very common in tourists, it is advised to avoid consuming high risk foods, reheated meals, seafood and fish, undercooked meats and raw vegetables, as well as fruits with their peel.

Time difference and climate

Map of the time zone:
Mexico City (GMT-6 in winter, GMT-5 in summer), Culiacán (GMT-7 in winter, GMT-6 in summer), Tijuana (GMT-8 in winter, GMT-7 in summer)

Summer time period: Summer season is from April to October.

Climate: Considering that the Mexican territory is very vast, it presents a wide diversity in its climate.In the north, the weather is extreme and dry ( -20ºC in winter, 45ºC in summer)In the central zone, the temperature is fair, it can range from 10ºC up to 25ºC during the day.In the southern area, the weather is humid and tropical with strong precipitations. The temperature can range in between 16ºC and 45ºC.The best time to visit the country is from April to June.

Eating

Food specialties: Recognized all over the world for its cultural wealth and its flavor blending, Mexican cuisine varies as much as the ingredients that compose it.Some typical dishes are:-Guacamole: mashed avocados with tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.-Mole poblano: chicken and rice covered with a sauce prepared with a variety of peppers and chocolate.-Tamales: Corn flour with chicken or vegetables, cooked inside plantain or corn leaves.

Drinks: Typical Mexican alcoholic drinks are tequila, mescal and pulque.Mexicans usually accompany their meals with a beer or a "flavored water", based on fruit juice concentrates.